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The 2012 Melbourne Cup barrier draw has taken place for Tuesday’s $6 million staying race with top fancy Americain receiving barrier 12.

The French stayer is chasing his second Melbourne Cup title after winning in 2010 as is 2011 winner Dunaden who will run from barrier 16.

The pair have shown they are ready to again feature in Australia’s biggest race with Dunaden winning the Caulfield Cup and Americain running home strongly for fourth.

British stayer Red Cadeaux was beaten in tight finish by Dunaden last year and will have to overcome a wide barrier 18 draw if he is to go one better this year.

Luca Cumani‘s highly-rated chance Mount Athos was one of the top chances at bookmaker.com.au prior to the barrier draw and has received a favourable barrier eight draw for his first run on Australian soil.

He is one of two Cumani-owned runners in the field with the Australian-owned My Quest For Peace chasing Melbourne Cup glory from the inside barrier.

After drawing wide when favourite in the Caulfield Cup, top Australian trainer Gai Waterhouse would have been relieved to see the number seven when the barrier for Glencadam Gold was revealed.

He is one of two Waterhouse runners striving to deliver the Sydney trainer her first Melbourne Cup with fellow import Fiorente to make his Australian debut from barrier two.

Bart Cummings is striving for yet another Melbourne Cup win and the barrier draw was kind to his Americain import Sanagas (4) but not so Precedence (20).

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The final 24-horse Melbourne Cup 2012field (3200m) has been announced, with the prestigious Group 1 staying race to take place at Flemington on Tuesday.

This year’s Melbourne Cup field is considered to be one of the strongest in recent times and contains no surprises.

Heading the field are French former Melbourne Cup winners Americain and Dunaden who are the favourites at bookmaker.com.au for the $6 million staying test.

One of the biggest talking points of this year’s Melbourne Cup field is the inclusion of Chris Waller-trained gelding Kelinni who earned his spot in the field by winning the Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington today.

The British import will be ridden by Glen Boss and received no penalty for his Lexus win meaning he will carry just 51kg.

In past years there have been major attrition rates leading into the announcement of the Melbourne Cup field but just 2011 Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed was withdrawn from the top 24 horses today.

It is a star-studded field dominated by international horses including 2011 runner-up Red Cadeaux, Luca Cumani-trained pair Mount Athos and My Quest For Peace, American St Leger winner Jakkalberry and the Godolphin-owned Cavalryman.

High profile Australian trainer Gai Waterhouse is still striving to achieve her first Melbourne Cup victory and has accepted with both Caulfield Cup failure Glencadam Gold and her recently acquired import Fiorente.

Legendary Australian trainer Bart Cummings narrowly missed out on getting Dare To Dream into the field when he finished second to Kelinni in the Lexus Stakes but will still have two runners with Precedence and American import Sanagas.

Cummings is a Melbourne Cup legend having won 12 titles with the most recent Viewed in 2008.

French pair Brigantin and Shahwardi were considered big chances if they were to make the field but connections paid dearly for not running in today’s ballot exempt races as did Godolphin who saw Lost In The Moment miss out.

Ciaron Maher-trained gelding Moudre moved into the final 24 when Southern Speed was withdrawn this morning but was the unlucky runner to make way for Kelinni.

Stay tuned to bookmaker.com.au for the latest 2012 Melbourne Cup market and for great value Melbourne Cup odds.

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Having kept our ears out for the trackside whispers ahead of the 2011 Melbourne Cup at Flemington today, and having kept a close eye on the 2011 Melbourne Cup betting market movers and shakers, all reports are that we are already on the winner with our earlier Melbourne Cup Tip to Win Americain ready to go back-to-back in the world’s richest handicap.

Americain is the 2011 Melbourne Cup betting late mail tip

The $6 million Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) is not far away, the testing two-mile handicap due to jump at 3:00pm (local time) as Flemington Race 7 and Americain is sitting pretty in the Melbourne Cup 2011 betting markets at Luxbet.

Luxbet have been offering punters the premium Melbourne Cup odds and betting options since markets opened, and they currently have Americain as the firm $5 favourite to win their second Melbourne Cup on the trot.

Money has also steadily flowed in on Niwot in the Melbourne Cup betting markets at Luxbet, the eleventh-hour entry gaining a start thanks to a terrific win in The Lexus Stakes at Flemington last Saturday.

Niwot, “to win” spelt backwards, is out to do just that today – win the Melbourne Cup 2011.

The punters are getting behind them to do it as well, Niwot one of the genuine Melbourne Cup betting market movers in from $15 at the start of the week to $8.50

Other 2011 Melbourne Cup Betting Market Movers are:

#9 Lucas Cranach – $13 into $12 at Luxbet – Our pick to add into the Melbourne Cup Betting Exacta with Americain for value at Luxbet. Don’t just back the winner, really clean up with the Melbourne Cup exotics!

#11 Precedence – $51 into $41 at Luxbet – Still a roughie in the Melbourne Cup betting markets but is prepared by the best in the business Bart Cummings. Worth a look in for Melbourne Cup First Four bets at Luxbet.

#22 Tullamore – $26 into $21 at Luxbet – One of two gallopers representing Gai Waterhouse today, has the right lead-up form with a third in the Caulfield Cup and second in the Moonee Valley Cup, but may be a little worn after all their hard work. Definite chance in the Melbourne Cup Trifecta at Luxbet.

To view the full 2011 Melbourne Cup betting odds and exclusive markets, hit up Luxbet now.

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